Minnesota News https://mn.gov/ en-us Minnesota https://mn.gov/ https://mn.gov/ Paul Bunyan's Payroll: Northwest Minnesota's Original Green Economy 2026-08-15T18:32:47Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-764978 August is Green Careers Month in Minnesota, so this month's blog is part one of a two-part series on forestry as an enduring economic strength and clean job generator in Northwest Minnesota. Next month, I'll follow up featuring the in-demand forestry-related jobs in the region. The Big City Pull: Why Ambulatory Care Jobs Are Leaving Northwest Minnesota 2026-07-15T18:32:47Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-760642 Geography, technology and talent are redrawing the map of Ambulatory Health Care employment, and Northwest Minnesota is on the losing end of specialty care. Health Care Employment in Northwest Minnesota: Growing in New Directions 2026-06-15T18:32:47Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-753589 The way the health care sector is growing in Northwest Minnesota today is notably different than the last time the sector grew just seven years ago. Even with Little Job Growth, Northwest Minnesota Teaching Occupations Will Continue to be in High Demand 2026-05-20T18:32:47Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-749718 Northwest Minnesota faces persistent high demand for teachers in nearly every classroom role. From Service to the Workforce: Recognizing Veterans in Northwest Minnesota 2026-04-22T18:32:47Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-744379 In honor of Hire a Veteran Month, let's recognize the vital role that veterans play in Northwest Minnesota's workforce. Beyond their extraordinary service to our nation, veterans continue to strengthen the economy and communities of this region through their active participation in the labor force. Women at Work: Northwest Minnesota's Majority Workforce and Caregivers 2026-03-19T18:32:47Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-739019 Women don't just participate in Northwest Minnesota's economy, they carry the lions share of employment. Nearly 59% are in the labor force – including those who are unemployed or self-employed – compared to 62.5% for the overall population. Northwest Minnesota's Job Market: Holding Steady or Starting to Slide? 2026-02-20T19:32:47Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-726010 How hard is it to find a job in Northwest Minnesota right now? To answer that question, we can look at two complementary sources: insights from the workforce professionals who work directly with job seekers, and the "hard" labor market data from DEED. Northwest Minnesota High School Graduates are Opting for Less College 2026-01-29T19:32:47Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-721537 In 2019, 62% of Northwest Minnesota high school graduates enrolled in college the following fall. By 2022, that figure dropped to 55%, where it has remained through 2024. The New Face of Northwest Minnesota's Workforce: Diversity Drove Post-Pandemic Recovery 2025-12-31T19:32:47Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-717803 The story of Northwest Minnesota's employment recovery isn't just about numbers surpassing pre-pandemic levels – it's about who is doing the work. Northwest Minnesota's Construction Sector Leads Regional Growth 2025-11-19T19:32:47Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-713698 Construction added the most jobs (+1,999) and grew the fastest (+17.6%) of any industry sector in Northwest Minnesota from 2019 to 2024.